15 USC § 3702 - Purpose

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t15/s3702"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_prima_facie"
title: "15 USC § 3702 - Purpose"
title_number: 15
title_name: "COMMERCE AND TRADE"
section_number: "3702"
section_name: "Purpose"
chapter_number: 63
chapter_name: "TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION"
positive_law: false
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-17"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Pub. L. 96–480, § 3, Oct. 21, 1980, 94 Stat. 2312; Pub. L. 99–502, § 9(b)(1), (f)(2), Oct. 20, 1986, 100 Stat. 1795, 1797.)"
---


# § 3702. Purpose

It is the purpose of this chapter to improve the economic, environmental, and social well-being of the United States by—

**(1)** establishing organizations in the executive branch to study and stimulate technology;

**(2)** promoting technology development through the establishment of cooperative research centers;

**(3)** stimulating improved utilization of federally funded technology developments, including inventions, software, and training technologies, by State and local governments and the private sector;

**(4)** providing encouragement for the development of technology through the recognition of individuals and companies which have made outstanding contributions in technology; and

**(5)** encouraging the exchange of scientific and technical personnel among academia, industry, and Federal laboratories.

---

**Source Credit**: (Pub. L. 96–480, § 3, Oct. 21, 1980, 94 Stat. 2312; Pub. L. 99–502, § 9(b)(1), (f)(2), Oct. 20, 1986, 100 Stat. 1795, 1797.)

## Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1986—Par. (2). , substituted “cooperative research centers” for “centers for industrial technology”.

Par. (3). , inserted “, including inventions, software, and training technologies,”.